ASTON VILLA boss David O'Leary has told Wales international Rob Edwards that he can leave the club this summer if the price is right.

ASTON VILLA boss David O'Leary has told Wales international Rob Edwards that he can leave the club this summer if the price is right.

The 21-year-old Telford-born full-back has had talks with the Villa chief since returning from a three-month loan spell at Derby and been told he can go.

Edwards said, "I have had a chat with the gaffer and been told that they will let me go for a reasonable fee.

"I have had three months at Derby and, previous to that, a one-month loan at Crystal Palace. I felt I did OK at Derby and was able to help them avoid relegation. But it does not seem that I have a future at Villa."

Villa are believed to want £500,000 for the youngster, who still has a year left on his contract, which could be a stumbling block to a move to Derby. They are interested in signing him permanently but their financial problems mean the fee Villa want is beyond them.

Edwards added, "I believe there are another couple of clubs interested, one from the Premiership and a big club in the First Division. But I know no more than that."

Edwards is the second Welsh international to have problems over his Villa future in a matter of days.

Mark Delaney, who captained his country for the first time against Norway and Canada last week, has failed to break back into the Villa first team after knee trouble and sat out the conclusion to the season.

He said last week he was disappointed that he had been unable to discuss the situation with O'Leary and would need to do so before next season. Newcastle are believed to be interested in the right-back.

Delaney and Edwards are competing for the same position at Villa, but O'Leary prefers Ulises De La Cruz in that role. Delaney may well sort out his problems with the manager but Edwards is expected to leave.

He has been fast-tracked into Wales boss Mark Hughes' senior squad and has played in their last four matches, including both the games against Norway and Canada.

Edwards, who made his Wales debut in the 4-0 win over Azerbaijan in Cardiff 14 months ago, was given his Villa breakthrough under previous boss Graham Taylor, but has clearly not impressed O'Leary and is certain to move on.

He said, "I am disappointed but really do not know what is going to happen, hopefully it can be sorted out quickly."